It's Official: Grizzlies Hire Hollins as Head Coach

By AP&nbsp|&nbsp

Posted: Sun 3:09 PM, Jan 25, 2009

Lionel Hollins is clear about what steps he needs to take to succeed in the daunting task of leading the Memphis Grizzlies to respectability.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge," Hollins said at a newsconference on Sunday to introduce him as the Grizzlies new coach."I believe that I have a vision of what it takes to win. I want tocome in here and try to lay a groundwork of work ethic, of sharingthe ball, of playing defense, playing hard.

"I will be demanding, and I'll have high expectations."

Hollins, a former assistant with the Grizzlies, was serving asan assistant for the Milwaukee Bucks when Memphis coach MarcIavaroni was fired Thursday. Hollins was scheduled to hold practicewith his new team later Sunday. His first game at the helm will beTuesday against the Denver Nuggets.

The team declined to discuss terms of his contract.

Hollins had two previous stints as the Grizzlies coach, both onan interim basis. He was 0-4 in 2004-05 when he bridged the gapbetween Hubie Brown's resignation and the hiring of Mike Fratello.He finished the 1999-2000 season after the firing of Brian Hill,going 18-42. Hollins was part of the Grizzlies coaching staff from1995, when the franchise started in Vancouver, until 2007.

Hollins said having the permanent title rather than the interimtag will enable him to install a system.

"Any time there's an interim tag in front of someone's name,the players feel like it's the substitute teacher. They feel likeit's time to play, and they don't have to do their work the sameway," Hollins said.

"No matter how hard you try, there's always a few who aren'tgoing to be on board because they know you're not truly the boss."

Iavaroni was fired after 1½ seasons, compiling a record of33-90. He became the seventh coach fired in the NBA this season.

Hollins inherits a team that has lost 17 of its last 19 games,including nine straight. The Grizzlies have failed to reach 100points in any of the losses during the skid, and scored 90 pointsonly once. The setbacks have been by an average of 12.5 points, andonly once in the streak has Memphis kept the deficit underdouble-digits.

Changing that mind-set is one of the primary goals facingHollins. He said it may take lineup changes, challenging players toplay harder or becoming more team-oriented.

"We're going to jump in and try to do it all," Hollins said."I'm looking to establish an identity defensively and offensivelyfrom Day 1. How long that takes, I don't know.

"I'm not concerned with the wins and losses as much as I'mconcerned with the progress we make, how hard we play, how well we play together. And if we're talented enough to steal some games,that's great."

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley acknowledged that he talked toformer Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson about the job. WhenJohnson declined, Hollins was his next choice, the owner said. Inaddition to changing the attitude, Heisley said it is about stayingon his plan of turning the Grizzlies around with young players andthe draft over the next three years.

"I thought Lionel would be a very good person for us to bringin with these young players," Heisley said.

Hollins talked little about specific players, but did say hewould like better play from his point guards. Mike Conley, thefourth overall pick in the 2007 draft, is sharing time with KyleLowry. Hollins said it is "atrocious" that the Grizzlies have theworst turnover average in the league. Conley appears to have theedge in Hollins' mind.

"I want to see if Mike Conley is a basketball player on a highlevel," the new coach said. "I'm going to give him a lot ofpushing and give him a lot of freedom to make decisions and see ifhe can do it."

That appears to be Hollins' goal for the rest of the season, asthe Grizzlies want to evaluate players to prepare for offseasonmoves that will take the franchise forward.

"We're going to coach, going to teach, we're going to demand,"Hollins said. "It's going to be difficult. That's what makescoaching nice is because it is challenging.

"Try to get them to step outside of the spirit they have nowand step into a new spirit. We're going to push and we're going todemand and we're going to show them this is the way you win."

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